Middle East Higher Education Ranking 2025!
The UK-based Times Higher Education recently published the global Best Universities Ranking 2025. A total of 2,855 universities from 115 countries and territories around the world have been included in this new list. According to the ranking, the first and second universities among the global top 100 are the University of Oxford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA.
According to the report, the top university in Asia is China's Tsinghua University, ranked 12th globally. On the other hand, Peking University in China occupies the second position, and the National University of Singapore is ranked third in Asia. Additionally, Middle Eastern countries are not far behind in terms of modern and advanced education systems.
According to the Times Higher Education Ranking 2025, among the best universities in the Middle East, there are 79 in Iraq, 34 in Saudi Arabia, 20 in Jordan, and 15 in the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, the list includes 8 universities in Israel, 7 universities in Palestine, 9 universities in Oman, 2 universities in Yemen, 1 university in Qatar, 5 in Kuwait, and 4 universities in Bahrain.
Among the top 200 universities, Saudi Arabia's King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is ranked 176th, the UAE's Abu Dhabi University is ranked 191st, and Israel's Tel Aviv University is ranked between 201st and 250th. Moreover, Iraq's best universities, the University of Sulaimani and the University of Technology, are ranked between 1,001st and 1,200th.
In the Middle East, King Saud University is ranked between 251st and 300th as the second-best university, while Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University is also ranked between 251st and 300th, making it the third-best university in KSA. King Abdulaziz University is ranked between 351st and 400th, King Khalid University is ranked between 301st and 350th, Prince Sultan University is ranked between 401st and 500th, and Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University is ranked between 501st and 600th.
Among other top Middle Eastern universities, the UAE's Khalifa University is ranked between 201st and 250th, the University of the United Arab Emirates is ranked between 251st and 300th, and the University of Sharjah is ranked between 301st and 350th among the global top universities in 2025.
On the other hand, Qatar University is ranked between 201st and 250th, the American University of the Middle East is ranked between 401st and 500th, and Kuwait University is ranked between 1,201st and 1,500th. Sultan Qaboos University is ranked between 601st and 800th as the best university in Oman, the Applied Science Private University in Jordan is ranked between 501st and 600th, and the University of Jordan is ranked between 601st and 800th.
Moreover, An Najah National University in Palestine is ranked between 1,201st and 1,500th, despite the ongoing war crisis. The Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain is ranked between 501st and 600th, and Albayda University in Yemen is also listed among the global Best Universities in 2025.
At present, the Middle East is witnessing a significant increase in investment in higher education, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE at the forefront of global competitiveness. However, challenges persist in advancing more institutions to higher standards. The involvement of universities from conflict-affected regions highlights the region's dedication to education despite these difficulties.
Sources: Times Higher Education.
